NFL Picks And Predictions Week 13: Panthers Vs. Buccaneers

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 3: Running back LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs 37 yards for the game-winning touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts October 3, 2011 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 24 - 17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Carolina Panthers and rookie Cam Newton. Who do the experts think will win?

Rookie quarterback Cam Newton heads to Tampa Bay to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and tries to to pick up another win for the Carolina Panthers.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated likes the Bucs to win a close one.

Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Who'd have thought Carolina would be a game behind Tampa Bay in December, and Cam Newton would have more yards and a better rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio than Josh Freeman? Certainly not me. The game's at the Pirate Ship, or else I'd be picking the Panthers.

Of all of the ESPN experts, only Chris Mortenson thinks that the Panthers can come away with a win.

Pete Schrager of FOX Sports likes the Panthers to win.

Carolina at Tampa Bay: Cam Newton needs just 647 yards passing over the next five games to break Peyton Manning's single-season passing mark for a rookie. He could pick up half of them against the Bucs in Tampa on Sunday. Newton, still my pick for NFL Rookie of the Year, got the first road win of his career last week in Indianapolis. He'll scoop up his second against the deflated Bucs. Quick question, while we're at it - which third-year quarterback's taken a bigger step backward this season: Josh Freeman or Mark Sanchez? I might have to go with the former. Freeman's been terrible this year.
The Pick: Panthers 31, Buccaneers 23

Over at CBS Sports, only Pete Prisco and Clarke Judge pick the Bucs to win.

For more on the Panthers head over to Cat Scratch Reader. For more on the Buccaneers, check out Bucs Nation.